With Kate Middleton and Prince William still preparing for the birth of their baby, thoughts about his or her education are probably far away.Yet, no one is more aware than them that a good school makes all the difference – especially when you're talking about a future King or Queen.Prince William flourished at Eton, despite his parents' divorce and the devastating loss of his mother. He was captain of the swimming team and was in Pop, a group of prefects, who are selected by fellow pupils. His wife also did well at the equally exclusive Marlborough College. Luckily for Kate here at HELLO! Online we've taken the strain out of the search. We turned to Janette Wallis, senior editor of The Good Schools Guide for some expert advice.Kate is known to love art and music, which means Montessori would be a good option. Are there any Montessori nursery schools that would be suitable?Iverna Gardens Montessori is a Montessori nursery a short walk from Kensington Palace, and it even runs evening parenting courses!
What about suitable prep schools?For a girl – Pembridge Hall School in the City Of Westminster. Girls are dropped off at school in tinted Range Rovers, sometimes by chauffeurs ... Names are down at birth and there are long waiting lists.Downe House was all-girls and Kate didn't really settle there, leaving after two terms. Which co-ed schools would you recommend?Thomas's Kensington. In the guide we describe it as "a cosmopolitan place, reflecting the changing face of London".Norland Place takes boys aged 4-8 and girls aged 4-11. There's a definite flavour of 'old money'. Parents here are terribly discreet and reluctant to be drawn into talking about the school or each other.What about Hill House, Prince Charles' first school?We don't think William and Kate would subject their little one to Hill House’s famous rust-coloured knickerbockers and mustard cable-knit jumpers!
Both William and Kate seem to have had a great time at boarding school, but isn't it a bit old fashioned now? This is the kind of question I get asked all the time. But boarding isn't old fashioned – it's perfect for parents who work unusual or irregular hours. We predict they will opt for weekly boarding so that they get to see their son or daughter at the weekends. Bit of free advice: we suggest they check out Wellington College.Any suggestion for other schools might they choose apart from Eton and Marlborough?If it’s arty, Bedales or Bryanston will do nicely. If it's sporty like William and Kate, Millfield. Leaning towards the sciences? Canford.How about a school that offers the International Baccalaureate at sixth form, like Wellington College or Marlborough, which is also Samantha Cameron's alma mater? We do suggest they choose a school with a good social mix – one with lots of bursaries for the able but penniless.
They clearly look back fondly on their schooldays since both their headteachers were invited to the royal wedding in 2011. If they do want their child to follow them to Eton or Marlborough what are the best feeder schools? There are many magical boarding preps who send lots of children to Eton and Marlborough. They might try William and Harry's old school, Ludgrove, for a boy. For a co-ed choice they won’t do much better than Prince Charles' prep, Cheam.On the other hand, childcare arrangements may make them prefer Brockhurst & Marlston House School (co-ed) or Elstree School (boys) – both are boarding preps within minutes of the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.Does a royal heir really have to go to public school nowadays? There's no need to go private. There are plenty of excellent London state schools – the best in the country. Even Tory politicians use them. Bring it on!
